Police are investigating after a 70-year-old man was found unconscious in a Tayside street.

The pensioner was discovered lying outside Tesco in South Street, Perth, at around 11.30pm on Tuesday.

He was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary for treatment.

His condition is unknown.

Police officers were yesterday at the scene where the man was found and the area was taped off as investigations took place.

A police photographer was also there.

One resident said he came upon the scene at around 7.30am as he made his way to work.

He said: “As I was coming up towards Tesco’s South Street store, I saw two policemen standing at the exit.

“There was police tape strung across the lane just next to the exit.

“As usual, the area was busy with people heading to their work and with early-morning shoppers.

“There were also a number of taxis parked on the rank outside Tesco.

“The area is usually frequented by a number of homeless people and the taped-off area is next to a cash machine. South Street is one of the main thoroughfares through the city centre and I have reported a number of incidents in that area down through the years.”

Another onlooker said: “There were a number of police officers present and I got the impression whatever took place happened at the top of the lane.

“Forensic officers then turned up, including a police photographer.

“It looked to me to be a serious incident due to the number of police and the work they were undertaking.”

Yesterday, a police spokesman confirmed officers had attended following concerns for a man found in the street.

A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland attended at South Street, Perth, around 11.30pm on Tuesday in response to reported concerns for a man found lying unconscious in the street.

“A 70-year-old man was found there and was taken to PRI for treatment.”